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Barichara’s Plaza Principal is the main plaza and focal point of life in the small town, one of Colombia’s Heritage Towns (Pueblos Patrimonio). It’s surrounded by several beautiful colonial buildings.
Buildings
Some of the most important buildings in town are on the plaza, including the town hall (Alcaldía), Casa de la Cultura (a museum of local history and culture), and the Aquileo Parra Technical Institute (Instituto Técnico Aquileo Parra). Other buildings included restaurants and cafés as well as a hotel.
Shade
The center of the plaza is a great place to beat the heat. It’s got plenty of shade from the tall trees and a fountain in the center.
Cathedral
The crown jewel of the plaza is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción), which was built in 1848 with stone taken from a local quarry. The sun gives it a different color throughout the day. In the morning it has a yellow tint, while in the afternoon has a touch of orange.
Inside, you’ll notice an intricate pattern on the floor tiles and wooden beams supporting the ceiling. A small chapel sits to one side.
Side Streets
Each street connecting to the plaza gives you a look at more whitewashed colonial buildings. From there, it’s easy to get to other parts of Barichara, including uphill to Plazuela de Santa Bárbara and west to the edge of town.
Chapel of San Antonio
If you walk two blocks south from the school, you’ll find a small park with the Chapel of San Antonio (Capilla de San Antonio), which was built in 1823. The park has trees as well as a sculpture.
